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Following the events of the Legacy of the Force novels, Outcast picks up two years after the aforementioned series' finale, Invincible. Two young Jedi Knights, Seff Hellin and Valin Horn, fall victim to a Force psychosis that makes them believe that everyone they know is an impostor. Valin's rampage through Coruscant coincides with Luke being arrested for crimes against the Alliance. Daala and Luke agree to exile the Grand Master, after accusing him of encouraging Jedi to flout the rule of law and behaving superior to the orders of police and governments, as well as excusing and protecting Jedi who commit atrocities. As an option to commute his sentence during his ten-year exile from Coruscant and any other established Jedi base, he is tasked to determine how Jacen fell to the dark side. Jedi Master Kenth Hamner becomes acting Grand Master of the Order until Luke's return to Coruscant. Ben Skywalker asks to accompany Luke.

While the Skywalkers begin their search, Jaina Solo forms an underground organization called the Darkmeld, whose intentions are to save all Jedi targeted by the Galactic Alliance who have the Force psychosis. The first insane Jedi Knight they save from captivity is Seff Hellin.

On Kessel, Han and Leia Organa Solo are called there by Lando Calrissian, who wants their help in discovering the source of the seismic disturbances that the planet is undergoing. Discovering a type of energy based lifeforms underground, Han and Leia find them working large underground processors, the source of Kessel's seismic disturbances are several machines that have been activated thanks to the destruction of Centerpoint Station two years earlier. At the continued rate of the machines' ravaging effects on Kessel, they will destroy the planet within a week. An operation to disrupt the planets destruction succeeds. Meanwhile, Allana senses a dark presence making contact with her through the Force, something that disturbs Allana and her grandparents.

The Skywalkers' journey takes them to Dorin, home of the Baran Do Sages. The Skywalkers learn that the master of the Sages when Jacen was there had died. After Luke easily masters what Jacen mastered during his stay with the Baran Do Sages, the Skywalkers soon uncover an underground cult led by Koro Ziil himself, who hasn't died but is leading this cult under the moniker of the Hidden One. The Hidden One and his followers' mission is to pretend that they've died on the surface of Dorin, in case of a repeat of Order 66. Luke and Ben best the Baran Do masters in combat to prove their plan is flawed, as the masters abilities have withered while trapped underground. Luke then gives the followers a choice between returning to the Baran Do Sages up top or continue to follow under the Hidden One's laws. The Skywalkers then take their leave for the Kathol Rift.